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Area set for a big clean
RESIDENTS in a part of Selby described as looking ‘grotty’, have moved a step closer towards improvements being made to the area.
A group that included councillors, auditors and local residents took part in an inspection walk last Saturday aimed at highlighting the poor state of the semi-derelict stretch of Ousegate.
Residents in the Haven, across from the Waterfront, have complained recently of rubbish, vandalism and poor lighting in the area.
The outcome of last week’s walk, which started at the Haven and worked down towards the toll bridge, was that a community engagement meeting will take place in the New Year, however improvement work could start before then.
Councillor Michael Dyson, who took part in the walk whilst undertaking an environmental audit of the area, said: “The area is very shoddy and during the walk we looked at the state of it.
“It’s pretty grotty with debris flying about, alleyways covered in graffiti and litter on the riverbank.
“There’s also no lighting in areas, such as under the bridge, which is unsafe especially during the darker months.”
Mr Dyson also revealed that a recent environmental audit of Selby town centre showed up to 40 improvements in the past 12 months, and that the Ousegate area can now look to follow a similar path to improving its appearance.
He added: “I did an audit of the town centre and that showed a big improvement from a year ago.
“The focus now though needs to be on Ousegate, and it needs a makeover really.
“The engagement group are due to meet in March and that’s when an action sheet can be put together but you would like to think it will be worth the wait.”
Councillor Steve Shaw-Wright echoed those sentiments, saying the area has become “scruffy”.
He said: “The residents of the area have been putting pressure on the council to improve the look and rightly so.
“The river’s bank does look scruffy and it reflects badly on the local businesses around that area, such as the pubs and restaurants.
“One of the suggestions we’ve received is simply to put up high blacked-out boards that just block off the view of the river.
“It’s simple stuff like that which can make a big difference in terms of the overall look of an area.”
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Weather for Selby
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Heavy rain
Temperature: 11 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
